A weekly Bible study group for women returned to Lancaster Bible College in the fall of 2016. The group, called “Women in the Word,” invited women from across the community to spend Tuesday mornings exploring one of the most practical books of the Old Testament.
Pearls of wisdom from Proverbs
The fall 2016 study focused on the book of Proverbs, drawing lessons from its collection of short sayings about wisdom, work, relationships and faith. The study, titled “Pearls of Wisdom from the Proverbs,” was led by an experienced instructor from the college community.
Proverbs is a natural choice for a group study. Its sayings are brief and memorable, but they address questions that remain as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago: how to speak wisely, how to manage money, how to treat others and how to make good decisions. Many readers find that the book offers practical guidance for everyday life.
Free and open to the public
The study was free and open to the public, with no requirement to be a student at the college. That openness has long been part of the program’s appeal, bringing together women of different ages, backgrounds and church traditions.
Schedule and location
The group was scheduled to meet on Tuesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at Lancaster Bible College’s Lancaster campus. The fall session began September 13 and continued weekly through November 15, 2016.
The morning schedule made the study convenient for women who were retired, working flexible hours or at home with children in school. Two hours each week allowed time for teaching, discussion and fellowship.
Anyone interested in participating was invited to contact the college’s events office by phone at 717-560-8219 or by email at events@lbc.edu.
About Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster Bible College offers a full range of programs, from non-credit biblical enrichment courses like “Women in the Word” to graduate degrees. Since its founding in 1933, the college has prepared both traditional students and adult learners to serve in the church and in society.
The college’s graduates are geographically and culturally diverse, and they serve as leaders in ministry and many other fields around the world.
LBC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation. It is also approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Association of Christian Schools International. At the time, the college was approved to operate in Pennsylvania, Florida, Maryland and Tennessee. More information is available at lbc.edu.
In 2016 the college was also expanding its academic offerings, adding new degree options for students seeking careers in ministry and related fields.
Community learning
Programs like “Women in the Word” reflect the college’s role as a resource for the broader community, not just for enrolled students. By offering free studies and events, LBC opens its campus to neighbors from across Lancaster County, including many from Lititz and the surrounding area.
For participants, a weekly study can offer more than knowledge. It can provide a sense of community, a regular time for reflection and a group of women who support one another through the ups and downs of life.
Joining the study
For women looking for a meaningful way to spend Tuesday mornings in the fall of 2016, the study offered an accessible option. There was no cost, no prerequisite and no need for prior experience with Bible study.
Whether participants were longtime students of Scripture or simply curious about what Proverbs has to say, the fall session offered ten weeks of learning, discussion and friendship on the college’s Lancaster campus.